Established Camping
Cookson Bend
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Reserveable sites may be available on a first-come, first-served basis on the current date, and may only be available for that night. Please check for future reservations and availability if you wish to stay longer than one night. If the site is reserved for a future date, you will have to move. You must physically arrive at the facility to see if first-come, first-serve sites are available. There is no guarantee a site shown to be available on line will still be available to purchase upon your arrival.
About
US Army Corps of Engineers
Tenkiller Ferry Lake
Overview
Cookson Bend Campground is a popular area that lies on Tenkiller Ferry Lake, among the Cookson Hills of the Ozark Mountains. Visitors here delight in breathtaking views of 200-foot limestone bluffs rising from the scenic waters.
Recreation
Boating, fishing, water skiing, hiking and swimming are among the activities enjoyed by visitors. Scuba divers enjoy the lake's clear waters and high visibility. Ten marinas are located on the lake. Most offer boat and jet-ski rentals, and several have floating restaurants. Fishing is good for black bass, white bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish. The trout stream below the dam is one of only two year-round trout fisheries in Oklahoma, and is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Hunting is also permitted in parts of the lake area, in accordance with state laws.
Facilities
The campground has sites with electric hookups, and some sites are non-electric. The group picnic shelters have electricity and are reservable. The park has waterborne restrooms with hot showers, drinking water, a dump station, swim beach, playground, and boat ramps. A marina with concessions is adjacent to the campground.
Natural Features
Tenkiller Ferry Lake is often referred to as Oklahoma's clear water paradise. The 12,500-acre lake is sourced by the Illinois River and the Baron Fork, which are both designated as Oklahoma Scenic Rivers. Located in the northeastern part of the state, the region is known as Green Country, with surroundings of dense Oak-Hickory forests, tall bluffs, and rolling hills. Tenkiller boasts 130 miles of shoreline with plenty of wildlife such as deer and turkey. It also serves as one of the flyways of migratory birds, including bald eagles, common loons, and white pelicans.
Nearby Attractions
Visit the Tenkiller State Park for its nature center and scuba diving park, the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian, or the historic city of Tahlequah - the capitol of the Cherokee Nation. The scenic upper Illinois River near Tahlequah is great for canoeing and rafting, and the lower Illinois near Gore offers prime trout fishing.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiGood
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TGood
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
LegendWater water everywhere
Cookson Bend Campground is a popular area that lies on Tenkiller Ferry Lake, among the Cookson Hills of the Ozark Mountains. Visitors here delight in breathtaking views of 200-foot limestone bluffs rising from the scenic waters.
Open All year Peak season Apr 1- Sep 30 Reservations welcome
Off peak Oct 1– Mar 30 FCFS Electric sites $19.00 Non electric $14.00
Ten only non electric $14.00 Group shelter $50.00 You will find sites with electric and sites without.
There are hot showers, water, playground, swimming beach, dump station, fishing dock, boat ramps, flush toilets. The sites are older and consist of gravel and grass but the grass is well maintained. Beautiful water sites make the visit worthwhile. There are lot of trash dumpster scattered throughout the park. Most sites are nicely shaded. There is a marina next to the campground with the ability to purchase needed items, rent boats, etc.
Tenkiller Ferry Lake has waters that are clean and clear from a distance of 8 to 28 feet. It is located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and it is covered in oak, and hickory forest. There are tall bluffs and gently rolling hills. The lake has 12,500 acres of surface water which make it the perfect getaway.
Check-out time: 3:00 pm. Check-in time: 6:00 pm. Quiet hours: 10:00 pm- 6:00 am. Entrance gates will be closed during this time. Grey water and sewage must be properly disposed of in the provided dump station receptacle. Trash must be placed in the provided dumpsters. Pets must remain restrained on a leash or penned at all times. Pets are not allowed on swim beaches or in bathrooms.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Group shelters are day use only. Limit 3 tents, or 1 wheeled camper and 2 tents per camp pad. Fireworks are prohibited.
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GuideLake Front Camping
This is a lakeside campground with 2 primary sections terraced so that most campsites have at least a partial lake view. All sites are water/electric with sites 51 thru 57 offering 50 amp and the remaining sites 30 amp. Some of the 30 amp sites share water connections. There are 2 boat ramps and a playground. The dump station is just outside the gate and is in good working order. Cookson Bend has the potential to be a beautiful campground but lacks facility and grounds maintenance. Unfortunately, this is well below the COE's typical standards.
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TravelerBeautiful lake
Fishing galore, swimming area boat launch. Very safe and secure
Location
Cookson Bend is located in Oklahoma
Directions
From Tahlequah, OK go 17.5 miles southeast on Highway 82. Look for sings for Tenkiller and turn right, then go two miles west on the paved access road.
Address
446977 EAST 980 ROAD
Gore, OK 74435-9547
Coordinates
35.7066667 N
94.96 W